Kalamazoo mourned the death of Kalamazoo Public Safety Officer Eric Zapata in April. Here KDPS officers transport the coffin of Zapata into Western Michigan University's Miller Auditorium before the start of a Funeral Mass.. (Gazette / Jonathon Gruenke)

Plainwell soldier Thomas Allers was killed by an IED in Afghanitan in May. Here Brent Duffett of Clare stands with other Patriot Guard Riders outside of Plainwell High School's Auditorium before the start of the funeral for Allers. (Gazette / Jonathon Gruenke)

Cleanup crews have worked all year on the cleanup of the Embridge pipeline oil spill that fouled the Kalamazoo River between Marshall and the Morrow Dam. Here crews work in Morrow Lake in October.(Gazette / Jonathon Gruenke)

In October Sarah Pfeiffer, left, cries as Patti Russell, center, and Jim Russell clutch the American flag that covered the casket of their son, Capt. Drew Russell during Thursday's funeral at Vicksburg Cemetery. Pfeiffer was dating Capt. Drew Russell when he was killed Oct. 8 in the Kandahar Province of Afghanistan. (Gazette / Jonathon Gruenke)

Western Michigan University quarterback Alex Carder walks off the field as Purdue begins to celebrate during Tuesday's Little Caesars Pizza Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit. WMU lost 37-32. (Kalamazoo Gazette / Jonathon Gruenke)